| He studied at the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth in 1733, and served in the home station and in the Mediterranean. He was commissioned a Lieutenant RN in 1740 serving in HMS Buckingham. He served in the West Indies and the Mediterranean. He was present at the Battle of Toulon in 1743, and at the execution of Admiral John Byng in 1757. In 1770, he was promoted to Rear-Admiral RN. In 1771-1774 he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American station. In 1776 Montagu was appointed Vice-Admiral and shortly after, Governor and commander-in-chief of Newfoundland. He was appointed as the Governor of Newfoundland 04/05/1776-21/07/1779. His term coincided with the American Revolutionary War. He took over the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and defended the island from French and American privateers, many of whom he imprisoned in St. John's. He prevented the French from capturing Carbonear and Harbour Grace. His term ended in 1778. In 1782 he was promoted to Admiral of the Blue, and from 1783 to 1786 was Commander-in-Chief of Portsmouth. In 1787 he was promoted to Admiral of the White RN. |
